Extracts from the shoots of Arctotis arctotoides inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi

Acetone, methanol and water extracts obtained from the shoots of Arctotis arctotoides through shaking and homogenization, were investigated for their antimicrobial activities. Growth inhibition using agar dilution assays was determined against ten selected bacterial and six fungal species. Although not fungicidal, extracts from the herb showed significant growth inhibition against all the fungi tested. The homogenized water extract was particularly inhibitory to the growth of the fungi with inhibitory activity ranging from 50.7 to 95.2% on Aspergillus tamari and Penicillum digitatum, respectively. Acetone and methanol extracts were very active against the Gram positive bacteria. The Gram negative bacteria were, however, more resistant to the extracts than the Gram positive ones. None of the extracts inhibited Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonous aeruginosa, both Gram negative bacteria.